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Freshraw Meals Cage-Free Turkey Recipe Dog Food Frozen
Instinct

Freshraw Meals Cage-Free Turkey Recipe Dog Food Frozen

Verified Aug 24, 2026

Dog · Wet Adult All Breed Sizes

This is a frozen, raw turkey-based meal for adult dogs, using turkey meat and organs as the main protein sources along with a mix of vegetables and fruits. The formula is complete and balanced for maintenance and includes salmon oil and ground flaxseed, which supply beneficial fatty acids, plus added vitamins and chelated minerals. It’s designed for adult dogs who do well on a raw-style diet and whose owners are comfortable handling and storing frozen raw food safely.

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Over-the-counter AAFCO Pet Sustainability Coalition Accredited No recalls

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KibbleLab Score
8.5 out of 10

Strong Choice

Nutritionally, this is a high-quality raw option for healthy adult dogs, with turkey meat and organs providing rich, species-appropriate protein and a good variety of whole vegetables and fruits. The macronutrient profile is appropriate for an adult maintenance diet when you account for the high moisture content typical of raw foods. It’s best suited to adult dogs without known poultry sensitivities, in homes where safe handling of raw animal products is practical.

Nutritional profile 9.0
Ingredient composition 8.0
Adequacy substantiation 7.0
Health considerations 10.0

Computed from 4 of 4 applicable checks. Missing data is skipped, never counted against a food.

The KibbleLab Score (1–10) is assessed from publicly available product data. Our evaluation is science-based, not marketing-based.

Nutritional profile Protein, fat, fiber on a dry-matter basis, for the stated life stage and format
Adequacy substantiation Complete and balanced substantiation; feeding trials valued higher
Ingredient composition Screened for unnamed sources, artificial additives, and label protein inflation. Not a quality ranking.
Health considerations Pulse-heavy grain-free (DCM) pattern and recall history
Verified manufacturer evidence A small bonus when we can verify evidence addressing WSAVA selection criteria
9.0 - 10 Top Pick
8.0 - 8.9 Strong Choice
7.0 - 7.9 Solid Option
6.0 - 6.9 Worth a Conversation
Below 6.0 Review Carefully

KibbleLab may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through a link. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.


At a Glance

Marketed Benefits
Where these benefits come from Benefits the manufacturer highlights in its own product marketing. KibbleLab lists them for reference and does not verify these claims.
Bone Health Digestive Health Skin Coat Health High Energy
Suitable For
Adult All Breed Sizes
Does this food work for your pet?
We'll check every ingredient against your pet's sensitivities and avoidance list.

Nutritional Perspective

KibbleLab Review

Strengths

  • Turkey meat and organs (gizzards, liver, heart) provide highly nutritious, animal-based protein and natural sources of vitamins and minerals.
  • Includes salmon oil and ground flaxseed, which are good sources of omega fatty acids that support skin, coat, and overall health.
  • Uses a variety of vegetables and fruits like carrots, spinach, blueberries, apples, and sweet potatoes to supply fiber and phytonutrients.
  • Formulated to meet AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for adult maintenance, so it can be used as a sole diet for adult dogs.

Considerations

  • Contains turkey and salmon, so it is not appropriate for dogs with poultry or fish allergies.
  • As a raw frozen product, it requires careful storage, thawing, and handling to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination for both pets and people in the household.
  • This diet is formulated for maintenance only, so it is not intended for puppies or pregnant/nursing dogs.
Scored using the rubric of an NAVC Certified Pet Nutrition Coach (PNCC). This is informational, not veterinary advice.

Full Ingredient List

Turkey, Turkey Gizzards, Turkey Livers, Turkey Hearts, Carrots, Spinach, Blueberries, Apples, Sweet Potatoes, Butternut Squash, Ground Flaxseed, Ground Miscanthus Grass, Montmorillonite Clay, Tricalcium Phosphate, Salmon Oil, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Dried Kelp, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate.

Ingredients and analysis reflect manufacturer data at the time of our last update and can change without notice. Always check the actual product packaging before feeding.

Ingredient filtering helps identify compatible options but is not a substitute for a veterinary elimination diet.

Top 5 Ingredients Explained

01
Turkey
Turkey is commonly used as a primary animal protein in dog and cat foods, offering highly digestible, high‑quality protein and supplying essential amino acids along with B vitamins, phosphorus and zinc to support muscle maintenance and metabolism. Its fat level varies by cut so products can be lean or richer; some pets may develop allergies to poultry, cooked bones are hazardous, raw meat carries bacterial risk, and owners should rely on balanced commercial formulations (and ensure adequate taurine for cats) if turkey is a main ingredient.
View ingredient
02
Turkey Gizzard
Turkey gizzard is a nutrient-dense organ muscle commonly used in pet foods and treats as a high-quality animal protein source that adds meaty flavor and firm texture. It supplies protein, B vitamins (notably B12 and niacin), iron and other trace minerals and some taurine beneficial for dogs and cats, but should be properly processed/cooked to avoid pathogens and fed as part of a balanced diet since organ-rich ingredients can concentrate certain nutrients and may need moderation for pets with specific health conditions.
03
Turkey Liver
Turkey liver is an organ meat commonly used in dog and cat foods as a protein-rich, palatability-enhancing ingredient and a concentrated source of vitamins and minerals—particularly vitamin A, B vitamins (including B12), iron, and copper. It offers nutritional benefits for metabolism and skin/coat health but should be included in moderation within a balanced diet to avoid vitamin A excess and high purine intake, and must be properly handled or cooked to reduce foodborne risks.
04
Turkey Heart
Turkey heart is an organ meat commonly used in pet foods as a high-quality protein and palatability ingredient that also provides essential amino acids (including taurine), B vitamins, iron, zinc and other trace minerals. It can be especially beneficial for cats because of its taurine content and for dogs as a nutrient-dense protein source, but should be included in balanced amounts (not as the sole diet component) and handled/processed properly to avoid pathogens or intolerance in sensitive pets.
05
Carrot
Carrot is used in pet foods as a vegetable ingredient providing fiber, moisture, texture and antioxidant nutrients such as beta‑carotene (a provitamin A), vitamin K, vitamin C and potassium, contributing to palatability and digestive bulk. Cooked carrots are more digestible and release more beta‑carotene, but cats cannot efficiently convert beta‑carotene to active vitamin A so carrots are more nutritionally useful for dogs than as a primary vitamin A source for cats; they should be fed in moderation due to natural sugars and should be offered in appropriately sized pieces to avoid choking.
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Nutritional Breakdown

How to read As Fed versus Dry Matter As fed shows the numbers straight off the label, water included. Dry matter removes the water so you can compare a wet food and a dry food fairly.
As Fed
Crude Protein (min)
11.00%
Low High
Crude Fat (min)
7.00%
Low High
Crude Fiber (max)
3.00%
Low High
Moisture (max)
72.00%
Low High
1316
kcal / Kg
286
kcal / Cup
High
Calorie density category
What is calorie density How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.

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Product Details & Brand

Product Specs

Lifestage Adult
Breed size All Breed Sizes
Texture Whole Pieces
Processing method Frozen
Food type Wet

AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy
What is AAFCO Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.

Complete & balanced Yes
AAFCO life stages Adult Maintenance
Substantiation Formulation
Instinct(R) FreshRaw Meals Cage-Free Turkey Recipe is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance.

Brand

Instinct is Nature’s Variety’s flagship brand dedicated to raw and minimally processed pet nutrition. It positions itself in the premium and super-premium segment, focusing on high-protein, grain-free, and raw-inspired diets. Instinct offers frozen raw, freeze-dried raw, kibble with raw coatings, and canned foods aimed at health-conscious pet owners who value a biologically appropriate diet.

Price tier $$$$$

Manufacturer

Company name Nature's Variety
Parent company Agrolimen S.A.
Founded 2002
Headquarters St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Manufacturing type In House
Manufacturing country United States
Manufacturing region Nebraska
Manufacturing oversight

Nature's Variety manages manufacturing quality and safety in accordance with FDA and AAFCO guidelines. Their manufacturing facilities adhere to stringent quality control protocols and HACCP food safety programs to ensure the integrity of their frozen and freeze-dried raw products.

Pet Sustainability Coalition Accredited business seal
Pet Sustainability Coalition Accredited

PSC is a nonprofit that Accredits pet companies on their environmental and social impact, through third-party verification. Nature's Variety is a PSC Accredited business. View profile

Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.

Recall History

No recalls on record

No recall is listed for Instinct Freshraw Meals Cage-Free Turkey Recipe Dog Food Frozen.

Source: FDA animal food recall listings back to January 2019 · Checked daily, last on Aug 31, 2026

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KibbleLab food report
GREAT BOWL.
8.5 /10 Grade A
Freshraw Meals Cage-Free Turkey Recipe Dog Food Frozen
Instinct · kibblelab.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

Has Instinct ever been recalled?

We have no recalls on record for Instinct. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.

How does KibbleLab rate foods?

Our scores are based on ingredient composition, nutritional profile, AAFCO compliance, and health considerations. We don't penalize by-products, grains, or synthetic preservatives. Brands cannot pay for higher scores.

Is KibbleLab a substitute for veterinary advice?

No. KibbleLab provides data-driven food analysis, not medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes, especially for pets with health conditions.

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KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.

KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through product links. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.

Product data sourced from manufacturer websites, AAFCO statements, and FDA recall listings. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.